Another Cross-Country Adventure: Day 2

It was a cold morning, colder than I expected for Nevada.

There was frost on the windshield and we had to keep the heat on for a good while until we warmed up.

We drove along a road parallel to a snow-covered mountain range. The sun rose from behind those mountains, but its colors were muted by the clouds. Eventually the mountains fell into the background and the road faded into a landscape of farmland with horses grazing.

Shortly after sunrise, the fog rolled in. It covered everything in a thick blanket of white, engulfing mountains right up their peaks. It looked like another world – beautiful and surreal.

We crossed into Utah and the fog persisted. It felt like it even grew in density. We drove through the salt flats and we couldn’t even see them. The salt seemed to fade into the fog, as if there was no road and we were driving through the clouds. Only the little, frost-tipped shrubs by the side of the road could be seen, a dark tan or brown against the blank canvas of fog.

I watched the world pass from the window of the passenger’s seat. Even when we were out of the salt flats, the white, frosted land seemed to fade into the fog. It was beautiful, but reminded me of a crystalized winter land, something belonging to a science fiction or fantasy world.

The closer we were to Wyoming, the more the fog lifted, and the landscape turned into what resembled more farmland. There were dozens of cows and horses grazing and eating or laying on the ground. Black-billed Magpies perched on wooden fence posts, surveying the area.

And then we officially entered Wyoming.

I love how the hills curve and roll, how the mountains tower over you with grandeur, and how the rocks are carved in the natural rock formations.

Wyoming is another one of those states whose beauty is in its nothingness. But like Nevada the nothingness I speak of is simply the nature and the peace found in that nature, in being able to see its natural beauty without the sudden obtrusion of manmade buildings or oil fields. It’s being able to appreciate what is naturally there without wanting to change it. It’s knowing that the land was there long before us and will continue to be there long after we’re gone.

If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Prelude to Day 1, please click here to read.

If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Day 1, please click here to read.

To see more photos, please visit my gallery by clicking here.